N. Ireland to play S. Korea for first time in friendly

Belfast, Jan 17 (IANS) Northern Ireland will lock horns with Asian football superpowers South Korea for the first time in a friendly match at Windsor Park here on March 24.

The tie will be a warm-up for the Koreans who are slated to take part in the FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer, a BBC report said.

"They have a big squad so I've no doubt their players will be out to impress their manager with the World Cup looming," said Northern Ireland chief coach Michael O'Neill, as quoted by BBC.

"The game provides our players with an opportunity to go up against a country we have not faced before," he added.

South Korea are currently placed 60th in the FIFA World Rankings compared to Northern Ireland who are in the 24th position. They have been drawn in Group F where they will face world champions Germany, Sweden and Mexico.

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